Rotimi Obateru, 2025 Rahamon Bello Best PhD Thesis Award winner, a lecturer at the Department of Geography, UI
The University of Lagos’ Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) has recognised outstanding scholarship in African studies, presenting the 2025 Rahamon Bello Best PhD Thesis Award. The ceremony took place on Thursday, 4 December, at the J.P. Clark Building, UNILAG.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Afolabi Lesi, representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, praised IADS for its contribution to knowledge and research excellence. He highlighted the award’s afrocentric focus and commended the rigorous selection process that underpins its credibility.
Professor Rahamon Bello, the award’s endower and former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, announced the creation of the Professor Rahamon Bello Endowment Trust Fund (PRABETFUL) to ensure the award’s sustainability. From 2026, the star prize will be doubled, with higher rewards for the first and second runners-up.
The 2025 star prize was awarded to Dr Rotimi Obateru of the University of Ibadan for his thesis on urban landscape and ecosystem services in Nigeria. Dr Nombulelo Tholithemba Shange (University of Free State, South Africa) received the second prize, while Dr Abdullahi Babagana (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) took third place.
Professor Ayodele Yusuff, Director of IADS, noted that 38 submissions were received from Nigeria, South Africa, Benin and Ethiopia. Past winners, including 2021 recipient Dr Felix Oludare Ajiola, spoke of the award’s impact in opening international academic opportunities.
The award, established in 2020, aims to promote rigorous, innovative research in African and Diaspora studies while supporting early career scholars.
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